Swimming pool complexes to open from April 1 for new swimming season
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (March 31) that for the upcoming swimming season, public swimming pool complexes will progressively open for public use from April 1 or upon completion of annual maintenance. Swimmers should mind their safety, care for themselves and others, and keep the swimming pools clean and hygienic while enjoying the fun of swimming.
From April to October, LCSD swimming pools will open daily from 6.30am to 10pm in three sessions with two one-hour breaks. Mui Wo Swimming Pool will open daily from 8.30am to 6pm in two sessions (and in one session from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays (Note 1)). Maintenance works are being carried out at Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool, which is temporarily closed.
For the 18 pool complexes with heated and non-heated swimming facilities, the heated facilities will continue to open from April 1 to 15. The non-heated facilities will open for public use from April 16.
The 18 swimming pool complexes are:
Hong Kong Island:
District
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Swimming Pool Complex
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Central and Western
Kennedy Town Swimming Pool
Wan Chai
Morrison Hill Swimming Pool
Kowloon:
District
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Swimming Pool Complex
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Kowloon City
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool
Wong Tai Sin
Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool
Morse Park Swimming Pool
Kwun Tong
Kwun Tong Swimming Pool
Sham Shui Po
Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool
Yau Tsim Mong
Kowloon Park Swimming Pool
New Territories:
District
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Swimming Pool Complex
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Islands
Tung Chung Swimming Pool
North
Fanling Swimming Pool
Sha Tin
Hin Tin Swimming Pool
Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool
Tsuen Wan
Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool
Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun Swimming Pool
Tuen Mun North West Swimming Pool
Yuen Long
Yuen Long Swimming Pool (Note 2)
Tin Sau Road Swimming Pool
Sai Kung
Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool
To maintain the hygiene of public swimming pools, each pool will be closed for thorough cleaning once a week, in addition to the regular daily cleaning. The thorough cleaning will be conducted on a designated weekday (Monday to Friday) from 10am to the end of the second session. If the designated day falls on a public holiday, the cleaning will be rescheduled to another weekday in the same week.
Individual swimming pools to be temporarily closed in specified periods in 2025 for maintenance works are set out in the Annex.
To foster a clean environment for public swimming pools, swimmers should maintain personal hygiene and observe the pool rules, including the following points:
(a) Swimmers should shower before entering the pool deck;
(b) Swimmers should walk through the shower bath and footbath;
(c) Swimmers should not go swimming if they feel unwell and should seek medical consultation early;
(d) Swimmers are advised to use the toilet before swimming and should NOT urinate or defecate in the pools. They should leave the water immediately and use the toilet if they have to vomit; and
(e) Parents should teach their children about the importance of maintaining personal and public hygiene.
Holders of public swimming pool monthly tickets are encouraged to apply for monthly ticket smart cards, which are printed with the card holder's photo and preloaded with information on the validity period. The smart cards enable holders to enter the pools easily and conveniently without having to produce documentary proof of identity. Interested monthly ticket holders can apply for smart cards free of charge. For details, please visit the following website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swim-ticket.html.
For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleaning operations of public swimming pools, please visit the following website:www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swimlocation.html.
Note 1: Mui Wo Swimming Pool will open from 8.30am to 6pm in two sessions on April 4 and April 18 (public holiday).
Note 2: Yuen Long Swimming Pool will be temporarily closed from April 10 to 15 for upgrading works of the electricity supply system.
CHP continues to follow up confirmed Mpox case epidemiologically linked to "Hutong"
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (June 9) that one more confirmed local Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case has been recorded, which is epidemiologically linked to thecases involving "Hutong"as announced in the past two weeks. Through the CHP's active case finding, five cases with epidemiological links to "Hutong" have been identified so far (including the first two cases notified by the authorities in Chinese Mainland). The individuals do not know each another and all have engaged in high-risk activities with strangers at the premises. The premises remains closed at present. The CHP will continue to closely follow up individuals who visited the premises on or after May 1 and provide them with health education and continue to conduct medical surveillance.The CHP once again urged the high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the public is advised to avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox.
Case information
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The case involves a 58-year-old man, who learned about confirmed Mpox cases at a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok last month from the CHP's earlierpress release. He also visited "Hutong" on May 23 and had high-risk contact there. He subsequently developed rash at his lower body on June 3. He sought medical treatment at the Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (YMTITC) on June 5, and reported relevant high-risk contact history to the healthcare workers, who then arranged specimen collection from him for testing. His specimentested positive for monkeypox virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. The CHP has arranged for him to receive isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital. The patient is currently in stable condition.
The CHP is conducting an epidemiological investigation, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with him. The CHP will notify World Health Organization of this case.
Follow-up on the "Hutong" cases
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The CHP endeavours to contact individuals who visited "Hutong" on or after May 1 to provide them with health education and conduct medical surveillance. To date, over 300 individuals who have visited the premises on or after May 1 have been successfully contacted. Two confirmed cases, who had high-risk contact at the premises during the incubation period, have been identified previously. The CHP again urges anyone who have visited the premises on or after May 1 to call the CHP's designated Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), so that the CHP can provide health assessments and advice. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm. As investigations are still ongoing, the premises has been closed temporarily starting from May 26.
Furthermore, the CHP has collaborated with Hong Kong AIDS Foundation to launch an outreach Mpox vaccination activity at the organisation's service centre in Mong Kok since last Saturday (June 6) until next Wednesday (June 17). Eligible high-risk groups (especially men who have sex with men) can make an appointment on the organisation'swebsite.
Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 90 Mpox cases (73 local cases and 17 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.
Mpox vaccine
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Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
healthcare workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;
laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.
High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's YMTITC, without prior appointments.
Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.
Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.
For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.
Source: AI-found images
